Toro Rosso’s Franz Tost: “We showed quite a good performance”

Scuderia Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost was full of praise of Carlos Sainz Jr after the Spaniard secured points from a lowly grid slot during Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix on a track that was not meant to suit the Ferrari-powered STR11.

He also felt team-mate Daniil Kvyat gave a good account of himself after finishing twelfth, having lost out somewhat in the closing stages when his final stint Ultrasoft Pirelli tyre gamble did not pay off the way he would have liked.

With the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve now behind them, Tost believes they can take some confidence into next weekend’s European Grand Prix at Baku.

“If we take into consideration where we started, to finish today’s race within the points is a great result,” said Tost. “The team and the drivers did a really good job.

“Carlos drove a fantastic race. He overtook a few of his rivals during the first lap and thanks to a very good strategy and fast pit-stops, he was able to gain a total of 11 positions, scoring two valuable points for the team.

“On the other hand, Daniil suffered a little bit on the Ultrasoft in the last stint, but taking into account that this is a fast circuit that doesn’t suit our car that well, we showed quite a good performance in general.

“The car was fast, the tyres worked well and we are now looking forward to the new track in Azerbaijan.”